The unmistakable aroma of Cuban coffee and the traditional flavor of Havana Restaurant & Bakery Corp. have arrived in downtown Sebring with the opening of its second location, Havana on The Circle.
This business expands its reach by opening its second location after years of serving the community, opening its doors in the Circle at downtown Sebring on Monday, Dec. 1.
This restaurant is known for its authentic flavor and nice ambiance, allowing customers to connect with their Cuban roots through every recipe.
Although the owners since 2019 are the couple Claudia Dos Santos and Jesus Tourino, they planned for Dos Santos to be the sole owner of this new location Havana on The Circle.
This restaurant marks the first business where Dos Santos will be in charge of everything. “It’s quite a challenge; many of my customers asked me for a second location, and in recent years I’ve seen how the city has grown,” said Dos Santos, referring to the reason for opening the second location.
Dos Santos is originally from Uruguay and arrived in Miami in 2001. In 2016, she and her husband bought their house, and in 2018, they moved permanently to Sebring in search of tranquility.
“When I lived in Miami, I always worked in Cuban cafes and I really liked it. When I moved here, someone told me about this business, which I always went to when I came to Sebring, and without hesitation, we became owners of our first business,” Dos Santos said.
In January 2019, Dos Santos and Tourino became owners of Havana Restaurant & Bakery Corp., winning over their customers with their signature Cuban breads, ropa vieja, pastries, bakery and sweets.
“For the first two years, I worked in the kitchen, making a lot of bakery and sweets. I like being behind the scenes. Once I understood the business and how it operated, I brought in more staff. Everyone on my team is Cuban,” said Dos Santos, referring to her experience with the first business.
In August 2025, Dos Santos and her husband began planning a second location while working together on renovations, including lighting, flooring, bathrooms, decor, and menu planning.
“I’ve seen other needs in the community, and I see more opportunities to grow. I like that traditional food is always present. I’ve always liked this location where I’m opening,” said Dos Santos, referring to downtown.
The second Havana Restaurant & Bakery Corp location is at 103 Circle Park Drive in Sebring. Maintaining the logo and the flavor that distinguishes the business, this new location will offer coffee, sandwiches, Cuban platters, breakfast, bakery items, and much more.
Everything at this business is fresh and baked the same day. All uniformed personnel can get free coffee when they visit. Although they opened just a few days ago, they are already planning new promotions for customers.
Each recipe featured at their second location has a connection to Cuban culture; however, Dos Santos plans to add some desserts from the country.
“I would like to try the empanadas. My mom taught me a lot about Latin American food, and I’m excited to try it,” said Jessica Phillips, who visited the restaurant for the first time.
“I love the food, the coffee, and it’s very convenient for me because I work very close by,” said Quin Morris, a frequent customer.
In addition to this new opening, they are currently undergoing expansion renovations at their first location, so the restaurant will soon look different and larger by 2026.
“I always wanted to open a second location, but something always came up, or something more important was always there. I thought I would really like to bring the Miami style to the county, to have the coffee shop separate from the restaurant,” Dos Santos said.
According to Dos Santos, one of the most popular is the Baked Pork Meal, thanks to its fresh combination of rice, black beans, sweet plantains, and tender baked pork prepared in the famous Cuban style.
Although they are still finalizing the hours, for the moment this business is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The food is delicious, I like how fresh everything is, and the service is excellent. I work at a nail salon nearby, and I used to visit the first location, but with this opening, it’s much closer to my work,” said Susana Noa, a resident of Sebring.
“I love Cuban food, but the coffee is what I like to try the most because it’s from Cuba, and its intense flavor definitely wakes me up. I think the location is perfect for those of us who work nearby, and the prices are excellent,” said Analis Carrasco, a frequent customer.
This second location represents a step in the growth of a business that has been a part of many county residents and a new chapter for Dos Santos.
